The Mayor of Chicago, the city’s chief executive officer, directs city departments and appoints department heads, with the advice and consent of the city council.
311 City Services
Call 311 for assistance with non-emergency City Services and for information on events, programs and agencies within the City of Chicago.
Administrative Hearings
The Department of Administrative Hearings is an independent quasi-judicial body. The matters which come before us to be adjudicated relate to the public health, safety, welfare, morals and economic well being of the residents of the City of Chicago.
- Administration/Operations
- Buildings Hearings Division
- Environmental Safety & Consumer Affairs Hearings Division
- Municipal Hearings Division
- Vehicle Hearings Division
Animal Care and Control
Chicago Animal Care and Control protects public safety and ensures the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, education and animal law enforcement.
Buildings
The Department of Buildings supports the safety and quality of life for the residents and visitors of the City of Chicago through enforcement of the Chicago Building Code. The permitting and inspection process promotes high quality design standards as well as the conservation, rehabilitation and reuse of the City’s existing buildings.
- Developer Services
- E-Plan
- Easy Permit Process Program
- Elevator Information
- Green Permits
- Inspections
- Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) Geotech
- Sewers
- Standard Plan Review
- Trade Licensing & General Contractor
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
BACP ensures a fair and vibrant market place for both businesses and consumers. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides business education and access to resources, enforces the Municipal Code, and protects consumers from fraud.
- Business Licenses
- Cable
- Cable25
- Certification: Weights and Measures & Alternative Pricing Systems (APS)
- Consumer Protection
- Hearings & Disciplinary Actions
- Investigations & Inspections
- Liquor Licenses
- Outreach & Education
- Public Vehicles
- Public Way Use
- Restaurant Start-up Program
Chicago Department of Aviation
Information on all Chicago airports, airport news, flight information, ground information, O’Hare, Modernization, Midway, travel advisories, and more.
- ADA Friendly Services
- Airport Maps and Customer Service
- Flight Information
- O’Hare Modernization Program
- Parking/Ground Transportation
- Sustainable Airport Initiatives
Chicago Police Board
The Chicago Police Board is an independent civilian body that oversees certain activities of the Chicago Police Department. The Board’s powers and responsibilities include deciding disciplinary matters involving police officers and nominating candidates for Superintendent of Police to the Mayor.
Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library encourages lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology.
City of Chicago TV
City of Chicago TV is responsible for the production of programs which are shown on cable channels 23 and 49 in Chicago as well as being available on the City of Chicago TV YouTube channel.
Commission on Human Relations
The Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) is charged with enforcing the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance. The Commission investigates complaints to determine whether discrimination may have occurred, and uses its enforcement powers to punish acts of discrimination.
- Adjudication: Discrimination Cases
- Advisory Council on Equity
- Advisory Council on Women and LGBT
- Inter-Group Relations (IGR): Community Tensions and Hate Crimes
Compliance
The Office of Compliance promotes a culture of ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with laws, city policies, procedures, rules and ordinances.
Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy.
- Attractions, Events and Exhibitions
- Chicago Cultural Plan
- Chicago Festivals
- Chicago Film Office
- Chicago Public Art Program
- Chicago’s Creative Industries
- Cultural Grants
- Markets and Neighborhood Programs
- Partnership Opportunities
- Rental Services
Emergency Management & Communications
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications provides citizens of Chicago with prompt and reliable 911 service for police, fire and emergency medical services and coordinates major emergency response.
- Alert Chicago – Emergency Preparedness
- Office of Emergency Management
- Public Education
- Technology
- Traffic Management Authority
Ethics
The Board of Ethics administers Chicago’s Governmental Ethics and Campaign Financing Ordinances, laws adopted to help ensure that City officials and employees avoid conflicts of interests.
Family & Support Services
The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services works to provide assistance to Chicago’s residents, particularly those most in need, beginning at birth through the senior years.
- Children Services
- Community Service Centers
- Division on Domestic Violence
- Homeless and Emergency Services
- Policy and Advocacy
- Senior Services-Area Agency on Aging
- Veterans Resource Office
- Workforce Development
- Youth Services
Finance
The Department of Finance provides effective and efficient management of the City’s financial resources. It is responsible for the collection or disbursement of City revenues and all funds required to be in the custody of the city treasurer.
- Accounts Receivable
- Benefits Management for City Employees
- Centralized Invoice Processing
- Debt Management and Investor Relations
- Internal Audit
- Parking, Red Light and Automated Speed Enforcement Citation Administration
- Payment Processing
- Public Private Partnerships
- Tax Division
- Water Billing and Customer Service
Fire
Promotes fire safety, emergency care and extinguishment of fires.
Fleet and Facility Management
The Department of Fleet and Facility Management supports the operations of other City Departments by providing high-quality and cost-effective fleet and facility services.
- Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Trades
- Asset Management
- Energy, Performance Improvement & Capital Planning
- Environmental, Health and Safety Management
- Facility Operations
- Finance & Administration
- Fleet Operations
- Human Resources
Housing and Economic Development
The Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) oversees the City’s housing, economic development, zoning, land use planning, sustainability and historic preservation initiatives.
- Economic Development
- Historic Preservation
- Housing
- Land Use Planning and Policy
- Sustainable Development
- Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
- Workforce Solutions
- Zoning Ordinance Administration
Human Resources
The Department of Human Resources facilitates the effective delivery of city services through the establishment of professional human resources management program.
Independent Police Review Authority
Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) is an independent department of the City of Chicago responsible for the intake and investigation of complaints regarding police misconduct.
Innovation and Technology
The City’s innovation and information technology organization. DoIT’s mission is to enhance delivery of City services through easy, reliable, cost-effective and secure access to information and to promote Chicago’s advancement through technology.
- Business Relationship Management – PMO
- Content Management & Process Modernization
- Customer Relationship Management
- Data Science
- Digital Excellence Initiative
- Enterprise Architecture
- Finance and Administration
- Geographic Information Systems
- Health and Human Services
- Inspection & Permitting Initiative (IPI)
- Procurement / Compliance IT
- Revenue IT
- Security and Data Management
- Software Development
- Technical Operations
- Telecommunications Management
Inspector General’s Office
The IGO is an independent office dedicated to ensuring honesty and integrity in City government by rooting out corruption, fraud, other misconduct, and waste.
Law
The Department of Law is responsible for providing legal counsel and representation for the City of Chicago, and the departments, officers, and employees of the City.
License Appeal Commission
The License Appeal Commission receives appeals from decisions of the Local Liquor Control Commissioner (Mayor) revoking, suspending, or denying liquor licenses.
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) works to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation on behalf of residents and visitors with disabilities.
- AccessChicago
- Accessibility Compliance
- Accessible Housing
- Advocacy – Disability Resources
- Amplified Phone, TTY and CapTel Program ***Free***
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
- Employment Services for People with Disabilities
- Public Policy and Public Affairs
- Training Services
- Transportation
- Youth Programming
Office of Budget and Management
Responsible for preparing and executing the City’s annual budget. The Office of Budget and Management evaluates the efficiency and efficacy of all City operations and drives management reforms that improve the City’s fiscal condition and increase taxpayer value.
Office of the Legislative Inspector General
The OLIG is an independent, nonpartisan oversight Office whose mission is to investigate allegations of misconduct by members and employees of the Chicago City Council (CCC).
Police
The CPD website is designed to provide general information about the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy. You will also find information on how you can make your neighborhood a safer, more enjoyable place to live.
Procurement Services
The Department of Procurement Services provides support to City Departments by procuring over $3 billion worth of quality goods and services annually.
- Auctions – Surplus Equipment and Materials
- Contract Administration
- Diversity Credit/Small Business Programs
- Events & Outreach
- M/WBE Program – Certification (DBE/ACDBE/BEPD)
- Rules, Regulations and Ordinances
Public Health
Our Public Health system has a direct impact on the quality of life of this vibrant city.
- Board of Health
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Permits & Regulation
- Food Protection
- Grants and Contracts Opportunities
- Health Clinics and Services
- Healthy Chicago
- Influenza (The Flu)
- Information, Statistics, and Reports
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness
- STI/HIV
- Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
- Violence Prevention
Streets & Sanitation
The Department of Streets & Sanitation handles and average of one million service requests per year, each one making a difference in our communities.
- Forestry
- Graffiti Removal Program
- Neighborhood Services (Community Outreach)
- Rodent Control (Rodent Baiting)
- Sanitation and Waste Reduction (Garbage, Street Sweeping, Recycling, and Zero Waste)
- Street Operations (Snow Removal, Lot Cleaning and Weed Cutting)
- Traffic Services (Vehicle Removal/Towing & Special Events Enforcement)
Transportation
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is responsible for public way infrastructure, including planning, design, construction, maintenance and management.
- Bicycling
- Bridges, Viaducts, and Waterways
- Conservation & Sustainable Transportation
- Construction, Permits, Utilities and Contracts
- Major Projects, Programs and Studies
- Pedestrians
- Public Transportation and Stations
- Streets, Alleys, & Sidewalks
- Traffic, Signals, Streetlights, & Signs
Water Management
The Chicago Water Agenda defines a number of initiatives and policies to better conserve our fresh water and to wisely manage storm water. In this site we have gathered many resources to give you the information needed to help save our source water.
- Administrative Support
- Billing and Customer Service
- Engineering
- Office of the Commissioner
- Operations & Distribution
- Water Supply
Other City, County, and State Agencies
The City of Chicago Government collaborates with several external entities, including other City agencies, County Government, and State Agencies. Click on the links below to be routed to popular services provided by these non-city agencies, and to find direct links to their websites.
- Board of Election Commissioners
- Chicago Housing Authority
- Chicago Park District
- Chicago Public Schools
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) – Travel Information
- City Clerk’s Office
- City Colleges of Chicago
- Cook County Clerk’s Office
- Metropolitan Pier and Expansion Authority
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
- Navy Pier
- Office of the City Treasurer
- Public Building Commission
- State of Illinois